The UFC returns this weekend to the Apex Center in Las Vegas, Nevada with a women’s Flyweight headliner with potential title implications as Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo go head-to-head. In the co-main Cub Swanson moves down for the first time in his UFC career to meet rising prospect Jonathan Martinez and Askar Askarov and Brandon Royval face off in a what is a fascinating clash of styles. We take a look at the three main fights below in this weekend’s UFC preview.
UFC Fight Night Betting Tips
Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo
Given the lack of potential contenders to Valentina Shevchenko’s Flyweight throne, any bout between top 10 prospects yet to face the champion has potential title ramifications and that is what we have here. Alexa Grasso is the highest ranked Flyweight yet to fight for the title and has won her last three fights, with her last defeat being to current Strawweight champion Carla Esparza in 2019. The Mexican has always been known for her striking with her wrestling and jiu jitsu largely letting her down but since moving to Flyweight she has better managed to keep the fights on her terms all while improving her grappling. Araujo on the flipside is a top grappler who is fairly one dimensional and relies on top control to win rounds. A scary statistic for Araujo is she has been out struck in her last six fights. Realistically as long as Grasso fights smart, she picks her foe to pieces on the feet and dominates the fight.
Alexa Grasso to win
$1.52 (4 Units)
Cub Swanson vs. Jonathan Martinez
We have a veteran verses a rising prospect here and this will be the first time Swanson fights at 135 pounds. I will be backing Swanson as he comes in as a fair underdog in a fight that stylistically suits him. However, I would be remiss not to mention his legendarily durable chin has shown that it is not what it used to be, he is cutting an extra 10 pounds from a point where he already looked shredded and before beating Darren Elkins last time out, he had lost his last four, so this is a risky bet.
Jonathan Martinez has knockout power and has a solid gas tank yet he has lost to the very average Andre Ewell and even more ordinary Andre Soukhamthath solely because he isn’t active enough on the feet. Swanson is the far more proven fighter who should be able to outwork his opponent and make his first trip to 135 pounds a successful one.
Cub Swanson to win
$2.70 (3 Units)
Askar Askarov vs. Brandon Royval
A lot of people are super high on Askar Askarov but I don’t think he is quite the top contender many like to think he is just yet. Askarov has one loss coming to Kai Kara-France earlier this year in a fight he really should have won. He is yet to develop true finishing abilities, something Royval has in abundance. Brandon Royval comes into this fight off of two impressive victories by submission. With the odds on offer I will have a little on Royval as he is a great scrambler and has the ability to outwork Askarov on the feet and threaten submissions, in particular with his nasty guillotine.
Brandon Royval to win
$3.10 (2 Units)
